Chapter 11: Animal Experiments

Jiang Cheng's principle was to finish the day's work within that day.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would not postpone today's tasks to tomorrow.

Late at night, light still shone from the guest bedroom of apartment 1001 in building number two of Happiness Garden.

At the desk, Jiang Cheng was deep in concentration, leaning over to draw a talisman.

That day, he had learned much about muscles and nerves, and at the moment, he was attempting to create the first draft of a "Muscle Relaxation Talisman."

Drawing talismans by a Talisman Master was akin to a lottery draw. There was a chance of success and a chance of failure.

Moreover, as the "Muscle Relaxation Talisman" was a completely new type of talisman, the likelihood of failure was significantly higher than that of success.

However, with Jiang Cheng's efforts, the very first "Muscle Relaxation Talisman" was finally brought into being!

This talisman used yellow talisman paper, which is commonly used for first-order talismans.

The ink and brush used in the drawing were also standard models.

At least in terms of the materials used for production, the "Muscle Relaxation Talisman" looked utterly normal, not at all like a newly developed talisman.

Jiang Cheng examined the thin talisman under the desk lamp with care.

He appeared to be checking its quality and craftsmanship.

After a thorough scrutiny, Jiang Cheng was convinced that it was a successful talisman.

Putting aside its effectiveness upon use, this talisman was, at the very least, functional for now.

But Jiang Cheng would not deliver a crude prototype to a customer.

Reliability testing is also a very important aspect of product development.

Many pharmaceuticals undergo animal trials before entering clinical tests to ensure they do not cause too many issues when used on humans.

Jiang Cheng stroked his chin, "Where can I find animals willing to volunteer for the experiment?"

It was indeed challenging.

After some thought, Jiang Cheng decided that perhaps his good brother Cao Wang was the only one who fit the bill.

...

The next day, at Cao Wang's rented apartment.

"You're not trying to dupe me, are you?" Cao Wang asked doubtfully as he looked at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng spoke with clear sincerity, "We're brothers, how could I possibly dupe you?"

"That's true," Cao Wang conceded.

Jiang Cheng then took out two first-order Purification Talismans. These talismans held a trace of purifying power and could be used to negate some of the common negative effects from other talismans.

For example, when an Ice Soul Talisman wears off and the person is still cold throughout, that's when a Purification Talisman can be used.

Seeing Jiang Cheng so well-prepared put Cao Wang at ease.

Indeed, how could Jiang Cheng, an honest man, scheme to trick me?

After bringing out the Purification Talismans, Jiang Cheng took the main attraction of today from his storage bag—the Muscle Relaxation Talismans.

There were two Muscle Relaxation Talismans, corresponding with the Purification Talismans.

"Old Cao, you use this Muscle Relaxation Talisman on me first so I can check its effect. After I've tried it, then it's your turn, how about that?"

Hearing Jiang Cheng's words filled Cao Wang with guilt; he almost wanted to slap himself.

Jiang was honest and willing to put himself at risk, always considering me. Yet here I was, suspecting he wanted to trick me. Is this how a brother should act? I really deserve to die!

Cao Wang nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, Old Jiang. If anything goes wrong, I'll immediately use this Purification Talisman!"

Jiang Cheng nodded slightly.

He wasn't worried about accidents because he had avoided important muscle groups within the human body when designing the talisman. In any case, it shouldn't be lethal.

He was just concerned that the effect of the Muscle Relaxation Talisman might be stronger than he anticipated. Since he designed it with conservative values, it would be normal for the actual effect to slightly exceed the design parameters by fifty to sixty percent.

As long as Cao didn't play any tricks in a moment, there shouldn't be any major problems.

"Use the talisman."

"Alright!"

A stream of spiritual energy from Cao Wang's fingertip flowed into the talisman.

The Muscle Relaxation Talisman was immediately activated, turning into a beam of healing green light that entered Jiang Cheng's body.

Jiang Cheng stood still, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air.

"How is it?" Cao Wang asked anxiously.

Jiang Cheng remained motionless.

"Not bad, my whole body feels tingly and numb, which is the expected effect of relaxation."

Cao Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's my turn now, my turn now."

Jiang Cheng kept still.

"Wait a moment, if I interrupt this talisman during the treatment, it might cause the muscles to cramp."

Putting down the Purification Talisman in his hand, Cao Wang said indifferently, "Is it that serious? It's just a cramp. Who hasn't had cramps since they were young? Can it kill someone?"

Jiang Cheng thought about it and felt that Cao Wang made sense. He tried to gently lift his arm, and sure enough, it triggered the cramping effect.

His arm felt completely immobile, and it was accompanied by severe pain, as if it had been amputated.

The effect was quite good.

Jiang Cheng thought to himself.

About one minute and thirty seconds later, the effect of the Muscle Relaxation Talisman ended, and Jiang Cheng regained his freedom to move.

"One minute thirty seconds, it's half a minute longer than the client requested, I should take note of that. Next time I draw the talisman, I need to shorten the duration."

"Jiang, are you done? Is it my turn yet?"

Cao Wang was eager to try.

"I'm done, but remember not to make any sudden movements during the muscle relaxation period, or you'll cramp up," Jiang Cheng cautioned.

"Got it, got it, hurry up!"

Jiang Cheng took the last Muscle Relaxation Talisman of the day between his fingers and activated it towards Cao Wang.

Once Cao Wang was affected by the talisman, his muscles instantly began to feel numb and tingly.

"Wow, Jiang, your talisman is really nice. It feels quite comfortable. Draw me a few later on."

Jiang Cheng took out a pen and paper and recorded Cao Wang's current state.

[Those affected by the talisman for the first time will feel pleasure]

"Hey, Jiang, you just said not to make any sudden movements, but does taking a couple steps count as a sudden movement?"

"That depends on how you walk."

"What about walking like this?"

"That would count."

"?"

Cao Wang took a few steps, then, hearing Jiang Cheng's affirmative answer, froze on the spot.

But it was already too late.

His leg muscles started having ideas of their own.

Intense pain surged from his legs, like rebels storming into his brain.

"Damn it, my legs are cramping!"

Cao Wang's legs were rooted to the spot as though filled with lead, twitching continuously. His upper body swayed back and forth like a zombie.

Thinking back to how Cao Wang voluntarily took those steps, Jiang Cheng was somewhat moved.

Did Cao actually initiate the adverse effect himself?

I can't let his contribution go to waste.

Jiang Cheng silently noted Cao Wang's performance.

[The side effects are somewhat severe, leading to cramps and accompanied by pain]

Soon, Cao Wang's upper body, swaying back and forth due to the "sudden movement," also started cramping.

So Jiang Cheng faithfully recorded this scene as well.

[The side effects can affect the muscles in the waist, arms, and shoulders, even if the leg muscles were already affected...]

As Jiang Cheng was writing, he suddenly remembered, "Cao Wang, whatever you do, don't yell out loud..."

"It freaking hurts!!!"

Cao Wang cried out. Subsequently, as expected, his face and vocal cords also cramped up.

Cao Wang fell into a state of full-body cramps.

The only thing he could move was his eyes.

At that moment, he desperately signaled to Jiang Cheng—hurry the hell up and use the Purification Talisman!

Jiang Cheng intuitively gave Cao Wang an affirming look.

He must be wanting me to seize the opportunity, right?

Indeed, after this, it would be difficult to observe such valuable experimental results again.

Following that, the pen in Jiang Cheng's hand moved even more swiftly.

Cao is making a noble sacrifice, and I can't let his good intentions be in vain.

[When affected by the talisman, the subjected person cannot speak or move, and will experience muscle twitches every one to three seconds]

After Jiang Cheng finished writing the last sentence, he took out a Purification Talisman and applied a purification to Cao Wang directly.

Now that the symptoms were all recorded, there was no need to let the talisman's effects continue any longer.

Then:

[The side effects of the Muscle Relaxation Talisman cannot be temporarily relieved by the purification effect, probably because cramps are a spontaneous muscular response, not considered among the negative effects caused by the talisman. Research is needed for a Special Effect Purification Talisman specifically for the Muscle Relaxation Talisman.]